GENERAL INFORMATION
ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK AND WEBSITE:
Responsibility and organization are the goals for fourth grade. Therefore, every day on the homework board I will post the assignments for that day. Unless otherwise noted, the assignments will be due the following day. I also will indicate in the assignment notebook that I have checked the list by either my initials or a teacher type sticker. Look for it if you need to know what the assignments are. The assignment notebook will be the best indication of the correct assignments. There are times during class when I have reason to change assignments or dates. So the assignments listed on the website are only a general guide to the given assignments. If a child has to leave during the day, the assignments given may only be a guide. The student should check with a classmate to be sure of the assignment. I strive to complete my website on the Friday before the week listed.
TESTS AND IMPORTANT PAPERS:
I strive to notify students of a test or quiz as early as possible. Although once in a while, I do give "pop" quizzes. Papers that need to be signed and returned (76% and below) will have a sign and return stamp at the top. If your student needs to have a test signed, please do so promptly and have it returned the next day. I will then place it in a folder on return. The folder will also contain reading tests, major papers, quizzes that have been returned, etc. Generally test results will be available to the student the next class period, unless someone is absent. As soon as the absentee takes the test, the results will be given and often discussed individually. I do keep all Science tests and answer sheets. You are always welcome to come in and look at your student's test.
SILENT READING:
We will have regular silent reading opportunities. Each student must have a book for that day's silent reading. If the student chooses not to use this time as intended, I will choose an additional book to be read as a book report for that quarter. One of the books read during the summer may be counted as a first quarter only book report.
ZEROS:
I often receive as many as fifty plus papers of the same assignment at one time. Therefore, it is imperative that the name of the owner is on each paper. Any paper without a name will receive a zero for the assignment.
TALKING DURING A TEST:
Talking while a quiz or test is in progress, even if the student has completed it, will result in a substantial point reduction. Please encourage your student to not talk until everyone has turned in the test/quiz . It is only respectful to have quiet thinking time for all.
TEACHEREASE:
I occasionally provide a comment to clarify on Teacher Ease when I post a grade. If you notice a problem or have a question, please feel free to contact me.
WRITING:
A writing folder will also be kept for each student. This folder will contain many of the writing examples that your child has completed during fourth grade. Writing is a long term proposition, and improvement is the goal. When the student is writing the first draft, I will often help find errors in it. Periodically, writing samples are to be typed on the computer. The class will be aware when that is to take place, so each child is expected to have the revised, edited and corrected hard copy with them to work on on that day.
The weekly Reading prompts ( known as Writers' Response or W.R.), as well as reading tests/quizzes will be included in the writing assessment. The weekly Writers' Response is worth ten points. The overall grade for writing will be listed on Teacher ease separately as S+, S, N or U . On the report card however, it will be a subset under English writing skills.
HOMEWORK WHEN ILL/ABSENT:
I will have the homework prepared by the homework buddy and I will check it. The school policy on homework when the child is ill is found in the parent student handbook. The work will be found on the homework table in the main hall at the end of the day. Homework for absences other than illness needs to be approved by the principal. Filling out an absence request is required. You can find it online on the school website The earliest that extended absent work can be given is the end of the last day prior to the absence. There may be times when the assignments change, so don't be surprised if your student has additional work to complete on return. If work has been given, it should be completed and returned on the first day back.
BEHAVIOR:
I believe that each child is responsible for his or her own actions. I also believe and expect that all my students can behave appropriately in and out of the classroom. Please refer to my expectations for achievement sent home the first day of school. However, I will not allow any child to prevent me from teaching and/or any student from learning. In order to guarantee your child and all the children in my classroom the learning climate that they deserve, I am using the following discipline plan .
GENERAL CLASS RULES FOR EACH STUDENT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Follow directions given the first time.
2. Eyes front and mouth closed when teacher is speaking.
3. Raise hand and wait for permission to talk.
4. Stay in seat unless permission to do otherwise.
5. Keep hands, feet and objects to self.
IF A STUDENT CHOOSES TO BREAK A RULE:
FIRST CONSEQUENCE- Warning (yellow card)
SECOND CONSEQUENCE- Forfeits next recess (red card) (forgetfulness doubles consequence)
THIRD CONSEQUENCE- contact parent by email or phone
FOURTH CONSEQUENCE- 30 minutes after school (detention)
FIFTH CONSEQUENCE- 30 minutes after school and parent conference
SEVERE DISRUPTION- sent to prinicipal
PERMISSION SLIPS, MEDICINE, ETC.,
Please be sure to fill out the permission slips completely, including location. Checks will generally be made out to Saint Matthew School unless they are to Scholastic Book Club. All medicine needs to be kept in the office, other than inhalers and cough drops. Please send a note to indicate their use. I will keep them in my desk.
COVERING BOOKS: All books must be covered. This includes consumables. We will have fabric book covers available for the three hard covered books for $1.00 each. The consumables may be covered in whatever is durable: grocery bags, craft paper, contact paper, duct tape, etc. The date that all the books need to be covered by is Aug. 23rd.
REMOVING PAGES FROM WORKBOOKS: Please be sure your student is careful when removing consumable pages from workbooks. They are not to remove any pages without permission. Pages being removed without permission or request can result in a zero for that assignment.
CLEANING OUT NOTEBOOKS/FOLDERS: Please consult with your student before helping to clean out notebooks/folders. The child should be aware if it is an assignment that will be turned in later or at another time.
UNIFORMS: Please consult the Parent-Student Handbook Pg. 21-22 concerning the correct uniform. Uniform notices will be sent home for violations. School policy states that detentions will be given for the fifth notice and every notice after that.
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ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK AND WEBSITE:
Responsibility and organization are the goals for fourth grade. Therefore, every day on the homework board I will post the assignments for that day. Unless otherwise noted, the assignments will be due the following day. I also will indicate in the assignment notebook that I have checked the list by either my initials or a teacher type sticker. Look for it if you need to know what the assignments are. The assignment notebook will be the best indication of the correct assignments. There are times during class when I have reason to change assignments or dates. So the assignments listed on the website are only a general guide to the given assignments. If a child has to leave during the day, the assignments given may only be a guide. The student should check with a classmate to be sure of the assignment. I strive to complete my website on the Friday before the week listed.
TESTS AND IMPORTANT PAPERS:
I strive to notify students of a test or quiz as early as possible. Although once in a while, I do give "pop" quizzes. Papers that need to be signed and returned (76% and below) will have a sign and return stamp at the top. If your student needs to have a test signed, please do so promptly and have it returned the next day. I will then place it in a folder on return. The folder will also contain reading tests, major papers, quizzes that have been returned, etc. Generally test results will be available to the student the next class period, unless someone is absent. As soon as the absentee takes the test, the results will be given and often discussed individually. I do keep all Science tests and answer sheets. You are always welcome to come in and look at your student's test.
SILENT READING:
We will have regular silent reading opportunities. Each student must have a book for that day's silent reading. If the student chooses not to use this time as intended, I will choose an additional book to be read as a book report for that quarter. One of the books read during the summer may be counted as a first quarter only book report.
ZEROS:
I often receive as many as fifty plus papers of the same assignment at one time. Therefore, it is imperative that the name of the owner is on each paper. Any paper without a name will receive a zero for the assignment.
TALKING DURING A TEST:
Talking while a quiz or test is in progress, even if the student has completed it, will result in a substantial point reduction. Please encourage your student to not talk until everyone has turned in the test/quiz . It is only respectful to have quiet thinking time for all.
TEACHEREASE:
I occasionally provide a comment to clarify on Teacher Ease when I post a grade. If you notice a problem or have a question, please feel free to contact me.
WRITING:
A writing folder will also be kept for each student. This folder will contain many of the writing examples that your child has completed during fourth grade. Writing is a long term proposition, and improvement is the goal. When the student is writing the first draft, I will often help find errors in it. Periodically, writing samples are to be typed on the computer. The class will be aware when that is to take place, so each child is expected to have the revised, edited and corrected hard copy with them to work on on that day.
The weekly Reading prompts ( known as Writers' Response or W.R.), as well as reading tests/quizzes will be included in the writing assessment. The weekly Writers' Response is worth ten points. The overall grade for writing will be listed on Teacher ease separately as S+, S, N or U . On the report card however, it will be a subset under English writing skills.
HOMEWORK WHEN ILL/ABSENT:
I will have the homework prepared by the homework buddy and I will check it. The school policy on homework when the child is ill is found in the parent student handbook. The work will be found on the homework table in the main hall at the end of the day. Homework for absences other than illness needs to be approved by the principal. Filling out an absence request is required. You can find it online on the school website The earliest that extended absent work can be given is the end of the last day prior to the absence. There may be times when the assignments change, so don't be surprised if your student has additional work to complete on return. If work has been given, it should be completed and returned on the first day back.
BEHAVIOR:
I believe that each child is responsible for his or her own actions. I also believe and expect that all my students can behave appropriately in and out of the classroom. Please refer to my expectations for achievement sent home the first day of school. However, I will not allow any child to prevent me from teaching and/or any student from learning. In order to guarantee your child and all the children in my classroom the learning climate that they deserve, I am using the following discipline plan .
GENERAL CLASS RULES FOR EACH STUDENT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Follow directions given the first time.
2. Eyes front and mouth closed when teacher is speaking.
3. Raise hand and wait for permission to talk.
4. Stay in seat unless permission to do otherwise.
5. Keep hands, feet and objects to self.
IF A STUDENT CHOOSES TO BREAK A RULE:
FIRST CONSEQUENCE- Warning (yellow card)
SECOND CONSEQUENCE- Forfeits next recess (red card) (forgetfulness doubles consequence)
THIRD CONSEQUENCE- contact parent by email or phone
FOURTH CONSEQUENCE- 30 minutes after school (detention)
FIFTH CONSEQUENCE- 30 minutes after school and parent conference
SEVERE DISRUPTION- sent to prinicipal
PERMISSION SLIPS, MEDICINE, ETC.,
Please be sure to fill out the permission slips completely, including location. Checks will generally be made out to Saint Matthew School unless they are to Scholastic Book Club. All medicine needs to be kept in the office, other than inhalers and cough drops. Please send a note to indicate their use. I will keep them in my desk.
COVERING BOOKS: All books must be covered. This includes consumables. We will have fabric book covers available for the three hard covered books for $1.00 each. The consumables may be covered in whatever is durable: grocery bags, craft paper, contact paper, duct tape, etc. The date that all the books need to be covered by is Aug. 23rd.
REMOVING PAGES FROM WORKBOOKS: Please be sure your student is careful when removing consumable pages from workbooks. They are not to remove any pages without permission. Pages being removed without permission or request can result in a zero for that assignment.
CLEANING OUT NOTEBOOKS/FOLDERS: Please consult with your student before helping to clean out notebooks/folders. The child should be aware if it is an assignment that will be turned in later or at another time.
UNIFORMS: Please consult the Parent-Student Handbook Pg. 21-22 concerning the correct uniform. Uniform notices will be sent home for violations. School policy states that detentions will be given for the fifth notice and every notice after that.
ex